James Pearce Jr. - NFL Defensive End

• Full Name: James Pearce Jr.
• Date of Birth: October 12, 2004
• Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina
• High School: Julius L. Chambers High School (Charlotte, NC)
• College: University of Tennessee
• NFL Draft: Selected by the Atlanta Falcons, 1st Round, Pick #26 in the 2025 NFL Draft
• Position: Defensive End / Edge Rusher

• Signed with Tennessee as a four-star recruit in the 2022 class, one of the Volunteers’ top defensive prospects.
• 2022 Season: Played sparingly as a true freshman but showed flashes of athleticism and pass-rush potential.
• 2023 Season: Breakout year as a sophomore. Recorded 9.5 sacks, 14.5 tackles for loss, and 2 forced fumbles. Named Second-Team All-SEC and recognized nationally as an emerging star.
• 2024 Season: Established himself as one of the best edge rushers in the country. Finished with double-digit sacks, multiple quarterback pressures, and several key defensive plays. Earned First-Team All-SEC and All-American honors.
• Declared for the 2025 NFL Draft after three seasons (2022–2024) with Tennessee.

• Second-Team All-SEC (2023)
• First-Team All-SEC (2024)
• All-American honors (2024)
• One of the SEC’s most productive pass rushers in 2023–2024

• Drafted by the Atlanta Falcons with the #26 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
• Selected as one of the premier edge rushers in the class, praised for his explosiveness, length, and ability to impact both pass and run defense.
• Expected to provide immediate pass-rush help for the Falcons’ defensive front.

• At 6’5” and 245 pounds, Pearce was regarded as one of the most athletic edge defenders in the 2025 draft class.
• His 2023 and 2024 back-to-back breakout seasons made him one of the fastest-rising draft prospects in the SEC.
• Known for his ability to disrupt quarterbacks with both speed and power off the edge.
• One of the highest-drafted Tennessee defensive linemen since Derek Barnett in 2017.